The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-10
POWDERLY ON BOMBS.
The Knights Of Labor Are an Army Of Peace,
and Violence Must Not Be Approved.

CHICAGO. Feb Sit leaked out some few
weeks ago that T. Y. Powderly had written
letter to Mrs Rodgers, Master Workman OF
district assembly No. a. in this city, giving ex-
piclt instructions that the passing of resolutions
and the voting of aid to the condemned Anarch-
lists was directly against the principles and in
terests of the order. Like all knghtly docu-
ments. it was a secret. Now, however, the in
structions contained therein have been fully
carried out, and the necessity for secrecy no
longer exists. The letter was given out for pub
licatlon yesterday, and is as follows:
Dear Sister-If the reports that come to
me are to be relied upon, the affairs in Chicago
are assuming a-serious aspect So far the
order OF the Knights of Labor is concerned,
have no reason to doubt that some of the state
ments receive are correct. It is reported that
assemblies are passing resolutions in favor of
anarchy, that demonstrations against the judi
cary are OF frequent occurrence, and that money
Is being drawn from the treasures of locals and
districts for the purpose of defraying the ex-
penses or the Anarchists trial. l write to you
as the master workman Of your district to say
thar those things wrong. They are in direct
conflict with the fundamental law of the order.
Every delegate to district assembly knows that
ne is to teach to the locals that this order is
army of peace It follows that violence on the
part OF members or members cannot he APP
proved or excused. For years in the city Of
chicago the adherents Of the Anarchists
cause have maligned, opposed and insulted the
order of Knights of Labor. The meeting-room
of the assembly was abandoned by this class Of
people for the low beer saloon. None of the
teachings that found expression in the streets of
Chicago during the first days of May ever
heard in the sanctuary of the Knights of Labor.
dad this order taught that the manufacture of
explosives or the throwing of bombs should be
practced by our members. and had they, in
obedience to the teaching Of such doctrines,
themselves
| py, it would have been duty to defend them
to the extent of our ability. The reverse of this
| is true, and no matter how much We sympa-
thlze with them as fellow beings, and no matter
how much We may feel as to the lllegality of the
trial by which they condemned to
death; no matter though the police had com
| mitted an unwarranted act of interference and
preclpIrated conflict on the Attn of May; no mat
ter Ii It. be true that public camor the frenzy of
the hour and the passions aroused by the actions
| of the men who shed the life blood of their fel
| low-men and created sentiment which had
more TO do with the reaching verdict than the
| evidence which was presented to the jury, it
| still remains fixed fact that the order of
| knights of Labor is not responsible for such
| actions as those. As individuals we may express
| our feelings as We please, but as knights of La
| Dor we must not commit the order any part
| of It, to the teachings of the Anarchists. 1t is
your duty, district assembly master work
| man, to see that this letter is read before the
district assembly and every assembly in the
| district assembly. You will ascertain whether
! any sums of money have been voted from the
| treasures of the assemblies for any purpose
| foreign to the aims of the Knights of Labor
| If such be the case, notify such assemblies that
| the money thus voted must be returned to their
| treasures. See that no further resolutions or
| expressions in favor of anarchy are passed by
| assemblies See that only the true doctrines of
| the order of knights of Labor are hereafter
| taught il the assemblies of the district assem-
| bly,. Ii this is done the reforms seek be
| secured without the explosion of bomb the
| stroke of the dagger
II issue this order general master work
| man, bv and under the authority vested in me as
such. 1t is imperative, and must be obeyed.
with kind wishes, / remain,
| "T. Y. POwDERLY,
| General Master Workman knights Of Labor"
| In accordance with the commands of the let
ter, Mrs. Rodgers has read it to thirty as
| semblies and it is now ancient and greasy
| looking document. She found that money
| had been voted from the assemblies for the de-
| Tense of the Anarchists, but in several cases
| money had been voted for political purposes.
/ Tbs Atter, in most cases. was received with nc
great favor.